Driving in Iceland in January Might Be the Smartest Bad Idea

Driving in Iceland in January sounds like freedom on four wheels. Until the wind slaps your van sideways and snow eats the road markings. This isn’t a summer road trip with golden light and open campsites. It is dark mornings, ice under slush, and weather that changes in a blink. Yet people keep coming, chasing empty waterfalls and the idea of sleeping under northern lights.

If that’s you, stick around. We’ll break down the reality of safety, the truth about January weather, and which campervan rentals in Iceland actually make sense when Iceland decides to test your driving skills.

1. Why Choose a Campervan in Iceland in January?

Coming to Iceland in January is not for the faint-hearted, but a campervan makes the gamble worth it. It is the difference between dragging bags through icy parking lots and simply closing the door on your rolling home.

Nights drop to -1°C to -10°C (30°F to 14°F), but a heated camper turns that into comfort instead of misery. Roads are harder, driving is slower, yet the freedom is unmatched. The right van flips January from survival mode into a trip you will brag about.

• Freedom - Sleep near glaciers, not in overpriced hotels.
• Warmth - Heating systems keep nights bearable even when windchill bites.
• No unpacking - Your gear stays put while the landscape changes.
• Trade-offs - Tougher driving, icy roads, constant weather checks.
• The secret - Pick the right winter-ready camper, and Iceland suddenly plays fair.

2. The Pros and Cons of Driving in Iceland in January

For some, driving in Iceland in January is the ultimate adventure. For others, it’s endless darkness, storms, and swearing at the ice on their windshield. Here are both sides.

Pros

• Northern lights marathon: long nights boost your odds, with Jökulsárlón, Snæfellsnes, and Vík giving postcard backdrops.
• Empty sights: waterfalls like Skógafoss or Gullfoss feel private, with no bus tours clogging the view.
• Winter drama: snow-covered lava fields, black sand beaches in white contrast, frozen spray off waterfalls.
• Lower costs: January is deep off-season, so rentals and tours are cheaper.
• True solitude: no summer crowds, just you, your camper, and the weather trying to kill you.

Cons

• Brutal roads: snow drifts, black ice, and closures at any moment. Highlands? Sealed shut.
• Campsite limits: many closed, the open ones stripped back to basics.
• Plans break: storms decide your itinerary, not you.
• Insurance isn’t optional: gravel, sand, and ash damage in January can cost more than your trip if you skip it.

3. Is Driving in Iceland in January Safe with a Campervan?

Driving in Iceland in January is not impossible, but it will humble you fast. Daylight barely stretches to 4 or 5 hours; the rest is total darkness. Winds hit 20 to 25 m/s (45 to 56 mph) often enough to push a camper sideways.

Over 30 m/s (67 mph) gusts? That’s when smart people pull over and wait. Snow blinds you in seconds, black ice hides under slush, and bridges are traps. Mountain passes shut down without notice, and South Coast roads vanish under drifting snow like they never existed.

Nights? -5 °C (23°F) is normal, colder in the north. A heated camper keeps you alive.

4. Road Conditions in Iceland in January

January roads in Iceland test infrastructure as much as drivers. The Ring Road, Route 1, is regularly plowed, but closures still happen without notice. Secondary routes in rural areas are worse: drifting snow buries them, ice lingers, and some are blocked for weeks.

Mountain passes often close outright. Gravel roads? Forget it until spring. Every rental we hand out comes with proper winter tires, because anything less would be reckless. The smartest move is to track real-time updates at Umferdin.is for road status and Vedur.is for forecasts. Flexibility is not optional here.

5. Do You Really Need a 4x4 Campervan in January?

They are highly recommended. A winter-ready 4x4 camper does not make you invincible, but it does give you traction, clearance, and the chance to actually finish your trip. Ask an Icelander what they think of tourists showing up in budget hatchbacks in January. The answer is usually an eye roll.

Still, driving a 2WD camper is not an impossible task, as long as you stick to the Ring Road, keep your common sense, and check the weather forecast on a constant basis.

6. Our Recommended Campervans for January

Check our fleet and rent a campervan in Iceland that can handle January without turning your trip into a rescue mission. Here’s what we recommend.

Vehicle	Capacity	Key Features
VW Transporter Automatic 4x4	Seats 3 / Sleeps 3	Automatic diesel, heating system, sleeping bags & camping set, gas stove, cookware, water tank, pillows, unlimited mileage, F-Road ready
Mercedes Campstar 4x4 / VW Ocean	Seats 4 / Sleeps 3-4	Automatic diesel, heating system, 2 double beds (203×120 cm), sink & refrigerator, gas stove, cookware, bed linen optional, camping set optional, limited F-Road access (Landmannalaugar & Kjölur)

7. What Campsites Are Open in Iceland in January?

Driving in Iceland in January means most campsites are locked up tight. Only a handful bother staying open when the cold bites. These are the ones worth knowing:

• Illugastadir - Tucked up north on the Vatnsnes Peninsula. It feels remote because it is. Killer spot for northern lights if the clouds play nice, and you might spot seals along the shoreline. The downside? Nights are brutal, and the wind never shuts up.
• Modrudalur - At 469 m (1,539 ft), this is Iceland’s highest farm. In January, it feels like you are parking on the moon. Services are bare bones, but the isolation is unreal. You get the Highlands mood without actually driving illegal roads.
• Skaftafell - Open year-round inside Vatnajökull National Park. Surrounded by glaciers, snow, and silence. Facilities are basic, but waking up here with ice giants looming around you is hard to beat.
• Hamragardar - A stone’s throw from Seljalandsfoss waterfall. In summer, this place is crawling with campers. In January, it is you, a frozen cascade, and maybe a few other stubborn travelers. Not fancy, but the view does all the work.
• Selfoss - The practical choice in South Iceland. Not postcard material, but you get working showers, electricity, and a solid winter base. Sometimes, function matters more than scenery.

8. Tips for Driving Safely in Iceland in January

Surviving January roads is less about luck and more about respecting the place. These tips keep you moving instead of stranded:

• Check the weather first, always - Vedur.is for forecasts, Umferdin.is for roads. Skip this step and you’re gambling blind.
• Slow down - Speeds that feel normal elsewhere are reckless here. Ice does not care how good your reflexes are.
• Use both hands in the wind - Gusts over 20 m/s (45 mph) can shove your camper across the lane. Over 30 m/s (67 mph) means stop driving.
• Mind the daylight - With only 4 to 5 hours of sun, plan routes that fit the clock or accept you’ll finish in the dark.
• Keep fuel and supplies stocked - Stations get sparse outside towns. Running out at -5°C (23°F) is not a story you want.

9. Tourist Mistakes to Avoid in January

Every year, visitors treat January in Iceland like it is a casual winter holiday. It is not. Here are the classic mistakes that turn trips into disasters:

• Renting the cheapest 2WD to drive on any route - That little hatchback sliding across ice will not save you. Roads in certain areas, like the North of Iceland, demand traction. Without it, you are one call away from the rescue truck.
• Ignoring weather alerts - Vedur.is and SafeTravel.is exists for a reason. Storms close entire regions, and yes, the police will stop you from driving if you try to play hero.
  Underestimating wind - Gusts often push 25 m/s (56 mph) and have ripped car doors clean off. Hold the handle with both hands or prepare to explain the damage bill.
• Parking overnight without checking road closures - Waking up snowed in is not romantic. It is wasted daylight, wasted fuel, and one more reminder that Icelandic weather makes the rules.
  
  

10. Driving in Iceland in January is Your Call

Driving in Iceland in January can be the best gamble you ever take or the fastest way to ruin a holiday. The truth is simple. With the right campervan, you get heat, traction, and the freedom to chase northern lights across empty roads. With the wrong one, you get cold nights, rescue bills, and a story you will not want to tell.

Pick smart, and January feels like your own private planet. Check out our January-ready campervans before you book anything smaller than your suitcase. Iceland does not hand out second chances in winter.